UT president authorized to explore alignment issues

AUSTIN — Texas’ board of regents on Monday authorized school president Bill Powers to take action regarding conference alignment, matching a step regents at Oklahoma took earlier in the afternoon.

Powers, citing what he called “a great deal of movement around the country concerning conference realignment,” asked the regents for permission to “explore options and make decisions” with respect to UT’s conference affiliation. The regents unanimously approved a motion allowing him to do so.

The motion, however, did not give Powers the final say on the matter. Although he is authorized “to apply for, to negotiate, and to execute appropriate documents related to a change in conference membership,” any change must be submitted to the regents for ratification.

In his request to the regents, Powers said he would consider all options, “including continued participation in the Big 12.” He declined to take questions from reporters after the meeting, saying it was an “ongoing process” and that he would talk after it was over.

OU president David Boren was more talkative after receiving similar authorization from his board, telling reporters in Oklahoma, “Beyond the big 12, the principal focus for us is the Pac-12.”

OU, UT, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State are considering a plan that would bring them to the Pac-12, although they haven’t formally applied for membership and that plan hasn’t been presented to Pac-12 presidents, who would have to approve any expansion.